Water use efficiency and cabbage production under no-tillage using different rates of crop residues

Abstract

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of no-tillage production system (PD) using different rates of crop residues on cabbage water use efficiency and yield. Four rates of corn crop residues

(0.0, 4.5, 9.0, 13.5 Mg ha-1 of dry matter) were tested in a clayed Latossolo Vermelho (Rhodic Haplustox), using the conventional tillage system (PC) as control. A completely randomized block design, with three replications was used. Cabbage stand, yield, fresh matter mass, diameter, height, and head compactness were not significantly affected by treatments. The total water depth applied along the entire crop cycle in PD treatments was up to 13% smaller than the treatments without residues. Water savings during the 30 days following transplanting reached 28%. The water productivity index increased linearly with crop residue rates under PD conditions, and was up to 21% higher than in the PC treatment.